Join Spouse Program after AFROTC

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Hello,

I feel like this is an uncommon question, but perhaps it happens more often than we think. My husband and I will both be trying to get an EA for next summer. He is in AFROTC at one university and I'm at another University close by. In the rare chance that we are both offered an EA and contact, what do you think is the likelihood that we would be able to be stationed together after graduation? I'm a nursing major and he's an engineering major if that makes a difference.

Also, does anyone know how the new changes to AFROTC will affect nurses chances?

Thanks!
 
The military will try to assign you to the same theater. That may mean you are stationed at Pope AFB and he is stationed at Seymour (@50 miles apart). It may mean you are both assigned to Randolph. It really comes down to job availability for you and him. Remember they need to have openings for both an engineer and a nurse that are O1s.
~ Upside I would guess it would not be too difficult since neither of you are going rated.

I would not worry about it at all currently because you are both only rising 200s. Getting an EA slot should be your only concern at this point.

Nurses are no longer considered a critical manning issue like it was 2 years ago. I am sure someone here has this years stats for EA slots when it comes to nursing.
 
If I recall correctly, the Nursing EA selection rate was 47% for the last EA board. On the upside, the Tech EA selection rate was 65%.
 
Thanks aglages, I knew I was close but worse than I remembered. My DS had a good friend in his ROTC Det that was a nursing major who DID NOT get an EA. He said that all the other cadets were shocked!
 
My DS had a good friend in his ROTC Det that was a nursing major who DID NOT get an EA. He said that all the other cadets were shocked!
My daughter's Detachment had the same reaction. 2/3 of the nursing majors didn't get EA slots and they were very good candidates. My daughter was recently commissioned a 2nd Lt in the Air Force from AFROTC and is currently going through the Air Force's Nurse Transition Program (NTP). When these 32 recently commissioned nurses arrived a few weeks ago an AF Colonel at a briefing told them that most, if not all would not see the completion of their four year service obligations and to expect nursing RIFs beginning next year. Not a very warm welcome to the Air Force.
 
Thank you all for the comments. In all honesty, we aren't realistically expecting both of us to get an EA. We both want to serve and are pushing very hard to get it. However, with the way things are looking it seems he has a better chance as an engineering major than I do as a nursing major. None the less, I will be trying just as hard to do this!

Since I've already started this post, could anyone give me an insight on my scores as they stand right now? I hope to improve when this semester starts, but as of now these are my stats.

GPA: 3.5
PFT: 92
ACT: 28
I also have a part-time job,on the Dean's List regularly, honor society member, and in student nurses association.

I know no one can tell me for sure. However, does this realistically look like stats that could get me an EA or do I need to drastically improve?

Thanks!
 
If the AF selects only 43% of the nursing applicants for EA slots again in 2015....I doubt any of us can give you a realistic idea of what your chances are. That said....your stats are good....stay actively involved in your Detachment and try to continue to impress your Det Commander, try to get your PFT up to the upper 90s and do the best you can to improve your GPA. You can't do any more than your best.

Good Luck! :thumb:
 
I agree 100% with aglages, Commanders Ranking is huge for getting a EA slot, so stay envolved. I highly doubt that any cadet in the bottom 1/3 of their Det got an EA slot this past year. As aglages stated, just work on getting your PFA up. Good luck!
 
I agree too. Honestly the CoC ranking is a huge chunk of your score, to give even a gander for chances we would have to know that ranking.

Personally, I think your PFT score is on the low side. I would think as a nurse you want to be at the 96+ marker. Plus, I thought they were going back to the AFOQT for SFT selection, thus the ACT score will not matter. If not than your ACT score is solid.
 
If this year is like last year, as a rising sophomore you will be taking the AFOQT shortly after returning to school. Prepare for that, last years 200's got that surprise when returning from summer break, lots were unprepared.
 
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I agree.

The thing with the AFOQT is it is timed just like the ACT/SAT. Make sure you pay attention to that clock countdown. The last thirty seconds bubble your life away. They do sell AFOQT test books. It might be a good idea since you and your DH will both be taking the exam.

The test is also more like the ACT because there are sections with graphing like the Science portion of the ACT.

Although you are not going to go rated, the test will still you require to take the pilot/Nav portion and that will account for your cum. score.
 
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Thank you for all the comments! I have already purchased a study guide for the AFOQT so that I can be prepared! I'm still working on get my fitness up, and I'll take all the advice everyone gave. Much appreciated :)
 
Nurses welcome

Maybe that Colonel who gave such discouraging comments to the new nurses is disgruntled with the upheaval. Sounds bitter.
 
I doubt it was sourgrapes. It is well known throughout the AF that they have been outsourcing medical professionals for years now. Many base hospitals are no more than clinics now.
~ 20 years ago they had maternity wards at every base, now they don't even have GYNs
~ 10-15 years ago they had 24 hr. ER, now they don't even have ERs, members are sent off base
~ Same with optometrists and audiologists.
~ Same with dentists.

As they cut back services the need for nurses reduce at the same rate. They are not saying none of you will be left, just that many will not be left.

The reality is the AF is cutting personnel across the board with every career field, except for a few and nurses are no longer classified as critical manning.
 
I wasn't there for the brief, but my daughter said it was very discouraging. In addition to his comments about how many/few might be still be serving by the end of their commitments, he also talked about the lack of educational opportunities due to budget cuts. Sour grapes or reality check....it definitely didn't help a room full of newly minted 2nd Lt nurses feel needed/wanted. Instead of taking a wait and see approach to the AF in regards to whether the AF would be a viable career option, some (most?) are taking hard looks at what they will do if separated at 1/2/3 years and already making plans for civilian life.

Between 43% EA selection rates and RIF boards for nurses....not sure how viable AF nursing will be in the future. Strange the Army doesn't seem to be outsourcing medical professionals to the degree that they don't need nurses anymore.

No matter how it works out....my daughter says she is happy with her choice to be an AF nurse. She had a great AFROTC experience and has made friends for life. Plus she is currently getting practical nursing and leadership experience that will help her wherever she goes.
 
Aglagles,

The difference for the Army is that they still have posts in the sandbox, with medical triage, whereas, the AF does not have the same need. Their forward bases are where? Qatar?The AF can backfill with Guard units and reserves too, especially since it is an 8-4 job these days at most bases.

As an ADAF member even back in 2002-05 stationed at Pentagon, we were kicked to the off base military medical center and told there was no room at Andrews for us. That is how long ago they started outsourcing. As a retiree in 08 we were told go find a doc you like because we are not accepting any new retirees.
~ JMPO, but the only way to stay save as a nurse in the AF is going to be in the flight surgeon field.

I am not saying I support their direction. I am just saying that currently for the AF this is 1993 all over again.
 
Pima,

Thanks for the insight and advice. While you may be correct about flight nursing....it requires a couple of years of nursing experience (usually critical care exp) and THAT particular type of nursing experience will not be readily available for "new" nurses in today's AF. As you said: "Many base hospitals are no more than clinics now".
 
You are right, and unless they are stationed at the big bases or overseas their chances will become slimmer for that option.

It is funny when we got in, all of our flying friends that married military members married nurses for the most part....what will all the young single guys do now? OBTW the retention rate for nurses were low back than too because they got out once they married and PCSd to their next base.
 
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